Day 4: Share coffee

This Christmas season, join us as we come together to share #joy with the world! Every day in December until Christmas, follow our Advent-style project and complete the daily challenges to bring joy to the people around you and around the world.

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Today’s challenge: Share the joy of a warm drink! Pay for the coffee or tea of the person behind you in line or buy an extra for a friend.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Sutisa, a young barista

Thirteen-year-old Sutisa makes a mean latte. She knows exactly how to roast the beans, use the latte machine, foam the milk, and pour the perfect amount.

And it doesn’t stop there. Sutisa knows how to make cappuccinos, espressos, green tea, chocolate milk, and Americanos.

She and many of her classmates are perfecting the art of making the best coffee through a World Vision program.

A seventh-grade student, Sutisa comes from a remote area in the north of Thailand. Mountains, the river, and small rice fields surround the place.

In the past, most of the students at Sutisa’s school often missed class as they had to work to help their parents in the rice fields. The children transplanted rice seedlings, pulled weeds, and helped cut and stack the rice stalks during harvest.

The families faced a big challenge as they did not have enough money and often asked their children to stay home from school to help them work on the farm so they have enough food to eat.

World Vision supported the school to manage a new model of education. From grades 5 through 9, students can learn extra life skills every Thursday.

They can enroll in seven professional clubs, such as Thai massage clubs, young guides club, hotel and home stay service clubs, music club, dancing club, woven bamboo club, and, in Sutisa’s case, Thai sweet tea and coffee club.

The collaboration between the school, parents, and the community leaders has changed the economic situation for families. The students earn an income between 3,000-5,000 baht (US$100-166) per month by selling their products.

Now, the students have the opportunity to continue studying more often and help their families earn money. They have also gained the skills to manage their own small business at home in the future.

This new model of education has been successful. Quality of life has improved as they give all the money to their parents. World Vision gives them hope for their future education.

Recommended from World Vision’s Gift Catalog: When you buy the Fair Trade Coffee Set for someone you care about, you also give a gift to where it’s needed most, helping provide for the unique needs of children and families around the world.

Comments

I was not able to buy a drink for someone today, but I did for 3 of my fellow MAT students this past Monday night. We were celebrating our upcoming graduation and calling to teach children! They were very surprised and grateful...cheers!!!! :)